Is My Sprinkler System Damaging My Trees?

Irrigation systems are great for low maintenance landscaping. Essentially you just set it , forget it, and watch everything bloom. However, if these irrigation systems are not properly placed, they can cause a problem for your trees and plants.

In the strong Georgia heat, we rarely think of overwatering posing any threats to our gardens. In the heat of the summer especially, it is very important to provide a substantial amount of water to keep your trees, plants and grass thriving.

When you decide to have your sprinkler system installed its important to make sure the location is ideal. Too much water can do just as much harm as too little. Overwatering with trees can be a dangerous situation as excessive moisture provides a perfect breeding ground for pathogens and fungus to develop, essentially leading to the weakening of your trees. If you notice any fungus or mushrooms growing at the base or the trunks of your trees, call a certified Arborist as soon as possible to have your trees properly assessed for decline.

Some signs your plants/trees are getting too much water are:

• root rot

• bark falling off the trunk

• trunk damage

• saturated soils

• fungus (mushrooms, etc.)

Some signs your plants/trees aren’t getting enough water are:

• wilted or curling leaves

• smaller leaves than normal

• leaf drop

• yellowing or burning of the leaves

After installation, walk around to different spots checking the soil after a run to ensure it is getting proper moisture. If the soil is heavily saturated you know your trees and plants are being overwatered and visa versa.

If you would like an ISA Certified Arborist to come assess the health of your trees, click the link below to be connected!

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What Is A Certified Arborist & Why Do I Need One?

If you are in the search for tree care professionals in Athens, you have probably heard the term “Arborist” pop up once or twice.

So what is a certified arborist?

Properly caring for your trees requires a professional that has knowledge and expertise in arboriculture. Arboriculture is essentially the cultivation, management, and study of trees and other woody plants.

Becoming a certified Arborist in Athens is done so through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and requires a number of years of experience as well as extensive testing. Most ISA Certified Arborists will attend a 2-4 year college in order to obtain the knowledge to pass the lengthy exams.

After the exams are over, ISA Certified Arborists are required to maintain their status and certification by taking classes, participating in labs, etc. As our environments evolve, so do the trees and the plants around us, which is why it is important that Davey Certified Arborists stay up to date on current diseases, pests and problems in order to properly assess your trees.

Hiring a certified Arborist from Davey will ensure your trees are getting the correct attention they need in order to survive and thrive in your specific environmental conditions.

Why do I need a Certified Arborist?

Some tree services do not have certified Arborists on staff with them which leaves you wondering why you really need one in the first place.

Taking proper care of your trees requires an extensive knowledge and background on tree care that only a certified Arborist will carry. By hiring a tree service that does not have proper knowledge or expertise in tree care, your trees could be in danger of improper pruning, unnecessary removals, and more!

An ISA Certified Arborist in Athens will always try to save your dead and dying trees before offering a simple removal. There are a number of treatments given to kill and prevent certain pests and diseases from taking over your trees before it is too late. Our certified Arborists will always recommend tree care over tree removals.

Last but not least, safety is the number one concern of an ISA Certified Arborist. When you hire an ISA Certified Arborist, you can rest assured you will not be putting your self or your trees in danger.

If you would like more information on how you can receive a free estimate from one of our certified Arborists, click the link below to be connected!

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Benefits of Deep Root Fertilization

Older, matured trees are often overlooked as “healthy” and not in need of any fertilization. Just because your trees are full grown doesn’t mean they wont benefit from a fertilization boost.

Why do my trees need fertilization?

Most trees that are planted in urban areas can be subject to a number of obstacles such as:

• soil compaction

• competing for nutrients

• air pollution

• poor soil quality

All of these factors can contribute to the overall decline of your trees over time. Deep root fertilization adds natural soil nutrients around the roots of your trees while providing a means for aeration of the soil at the same time. Performing a deep root fertilization on your trees will give your trees the extra push they need to overcome certain environmental setbacks where they might otherwise fall short.

What are the top benefits of deep root fertilization?

Fertilizing your trees provides a large number of benefits such as:

• prevents chlorosis (yellowing of leaves)

• provides substantial protection against pests and diseases

• naturally aerates the soil for optimal oxygen to your trees roots

• helps aid in the prevention of damage during winter such as frost

• stimulates fast growth of the canopy

• promotes the growth of healthier foliage

All of these benefits will help your tree thrive in some of the less favorable conditions of urban settings. However, it is important to have a certified arborist assess your trees to determine what mixture will work best for your goals. Unfortunately, there isn’t a “one size fits all” fertilizer that will provide ideal results and could potentially harm your trees if not performed properly.

If you would like more information on deep root fertilization of your trees, feel free to contact us using the link below!

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Spring Landscape Checklist

With spring just around the corner, it’s important that you do a full and thorough inspection of your landscape to identify any problems before the new growing season. We are staffed with highly trained certified arborist’s who can help you to identify issues with your trees that you might not have noticed. If you would like a certified arborist in Athens to inspect your trees, use the link at the bottom of this page to be connected! Otherwise, we have developed a checklist with tips on DIY landscape/tree inspections and tips to follow for this spring.

Check for any dead branches.

This is not limited to only trees, if you have shrubs or plants in your landscape with dead branches it is essential for the new growth to prune those back. If you notice any limbs on your trees with fungal looking material, holes, or signs of pests, it’s best to contact your local certified Arborist in Athens before trying to tackle pruning that one on your own. Large dead branches can be dangerous and are best left to professionals.

Check foliage.

Have you noticed any yellowing on the new leaves this spring? Or perhaps less foliage or flowering than last year? If you have an older, more mature tree, a simple deep root fertilization in Athens might just do the trick but it is important to identify if other environmental factors are affecting your trees.

Check around the base and trunk.

When checking the base be sure to lookout for any oozing, slimy material, as this could be something as small as slime flux that is easily treatable. It is important to identify any major structural issues such as large cracks or cavities, meaning your tree might have been struck by lightening and needs to be evaluated by a certified arborist immediately. Any signs of mushrooms or other fungal matter in the soil around the trunk is a sure sign there is some root rot going on and should be addressed immediately.

Tips for ultimate spring growth

There are a few key things you can do in the meantime to ensure your trees are in their healthiest state and receiving all the nutrients possible.

Mulch your trees.

Mulching around the base of your trees can prevent erosion, retain soil moisture for those hot summer days, as well as eliminate weeds and grass. Check out our other recent blogs for information on proper mulching techniques.

Fertilize, fertilize, fertilize.

Slow release deep root fertilization can help your trees so much! Any trees over 2 years old should be fertilized in the spring by a certified technician. Call our office to set up an appointment.

Plant new trees.

Being sure dormant season is still in session, this is a great time to plant some new specimen in your landscape. We have multiple blogs on our website for tips on our most recommended tree species to plant. You can also contact our office to receive more information by one of our certified arborist on recommended species for your specific landscape or area!

Give us a call today to have a certified Arborist inspect your trees for any issues!

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Is My Lawnmower Damaging My Trees?

Sometimes it’s easier to run over a few roots with your lawnmower than it is to add more time on the weed eater after the fact. However, the mechanical damage a lawnmower or other yard equipment can do to your trees is quite serious and should be avoided.

The outer layer of your trees just underneath the bark is called the Cambium layer. The Cambium layer contains the Xylem and Phloem - the structures within the tree responsible for transporting food and water from the roots to the stems. When this is injured or damaged, it can limit the tree’s ability to properly transport these nutrients. It is most vital to protect this layer in the spring months when the tree is putting on new growth.

What can happen to my tree if I damaged it with lawn equipment?

• It can open the tree up for pests and decay to enter

• Poor growth and dead branches

• Multiple damage wounds can cause the tree to girdle, which weakens the structure and can be deadly

How can I eliminate grass/ weeds from growing around the base?

Weed eating isn’t everyone’s favorite chore and can be taxing when the Georgia heat creeps in. So why not eliminate all the weeds and grass from around the base of your trees altogether? Applying a couple inches of mulch around the base of your trees can prevent weeds, retain soil moisture, prevent erosion and supply the tree with a healthy mix of natural material to stimulate growth.

Did you know? All of our trees are brought back to our office and recycled into premium quality landscaping mulch? Click the link below to get in touch with one of our Arborist’s or schedule a delivery of mulch to your home today!

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Is It Too Late To Prune My Trees In Georgia?

Tree pruning, among other tree maintenance techniques can determine the health, longevity and cosmetic look of your trees. Tree pruning, especially on larger specimen is best left to the professionals as improperly pruning your trees can do more damage than good.

Here are just a few key benefits tree pruning provides:

• Improves nutrient intake

• Adds value to your home

• Allows you to see and identify pests more easily

• Stimulates growth

• Prevents damage from branch droppings on your valuables

• Allows the tree to absorb more sunlight

• Saves money from costly dead tree removals down the road

Should I remove dead branches from my trees in summer?

Pruning heavily diseased or dead branches from your trees can be performed year round. Dead or dying wood on your trees can be an easy entryway into your tree for pests and diseases to enter and take over. If you are performing this at home, be sure to sanitize your shears or lopers after use to prevent the spread of any diseases from tree to tree on your property.

So when is the best time to trim my trees?

There are a lot of different factors that determine the best time of year for trimming your specimen. However, there are a few general rules to follow in regards to timing your tree trimming:

• Most trees in Georgia will benefit most from trimming in early December to late March.

• Young or newly planted trees should not be trimmed until they have completed a minimum of two growing seasons.

• Keep any dead or diseased branches removed throughout the year.

If you have trees on your property that could use a good trim, now is the time to reach out to one of our certified Arborist’s for a free estimate! Click the link below to be connected with a certified Arborist on our staff.

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Why Do Some Trees Stay Green Year Round?

With spring right around the corner, all of us are anxiously awaiting the beautiful color brought back on the leaves and flowers of all our favorite deciduous trees(trees that drop their foliage and flowers in fall). But why do some trees hold on to their deep green color while others don’t?

Evergreen trees…

Evergreen trees were originally established and brought in from colder climate areas, which gives their needles the shape and texture they have. The shape of evergreen leaves allows them to hold maximum moisture and nutrients in order to survive throughout the winter months.

Deciduous trees…..

In winter, deciduous trees will drop their leaves and close up their buds in order to protect the tree from harsh weather. Evergreen trees will continue to photosynthesize throughout winter, allowing them to keep their deep green color.

A few examples of our favorite deciduous trees are:

• Oak

• Poplar

• Maple

A few examples of our favorite evergreen trees are:

• Cedar

• Cypress

• Cryptomeria

Thinking about planting a tree in Grayson this spring? We can help! Give us a call using the link below to consult with a certified Arborist in Grayson on which trees would be best suited for your specific landscape.

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Most Common Winter Tree Pests

Most common tree insects and pests hibernate for the winter not to emerge again until the next spring. However, some pests favorite hibernating spot is inside of your trees. If they are left untreated, they can cause serious damage to your trees.

What are the most common pests my trees might see in winter?

There are a couple of different types of pests we most commonly see on trees in Georgia in the winter including:

Aphids

The least alarming type of pest, however does multiply very quickly and and quickly overwhelm your trees and plants especially if your trees are already declining or in bad health. Aphids lay their eggs inside your trees to emerge when the next spring comes. They are relatively easy to treat as long as they are identified quickly. Have a certified Arborist in Snellville assess your trees in winter for health issues and pest problems!

Moth Grubs

Fruit bearing trees are a favorite for this worm like grub. They hide in the crevices of your trees during the winter months and pop out around the time your tree starts to bear fruit! These need to be nipped in the bud before they do serious damage to your new growth in the spring. A certified Arborist in Snellville can identify and treat moth grubs and other winter tree pests easily!

Red Spider Mites

Last but certainly not least the infamous red spider mite. They will go after a variety of species but prefer apple trees as a personal favorite. They remain active through spring summer and fall and hide out in the crevices of your trees during winter until it is warm enough for them to emerge again. What is especially hard about identifying these guys is their size. They are extremely small and you likely will not even be aware you have an infestation until it is far too late. They can be a harder pest to get rid of so its important to contact a certified arborist in Snellville if you notice any health issues with your trees.

Still have questions or concerns about your trees health? Give us a call at North American Tree Service, we are staffed with highly trained certified Abrorist’s ready to assist you with your next tree care problem! Click the link below to get started on your free estimate with a certified Arborist!

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